Terrance “Terry” Ann Gray Chandler, 68 years old, went home to be with the Lord on October 17, 2018, after a hard fought battle with brain cancer.
Visitation will be on Friday, October 26, 2018, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home, with the Memorial Holy Rosary recited at 7:00 pm.
On Saturday, October 27, committal of ashes will be held at 9:00 am at St. Louis Catholic Cemetery. The Memorial Mass of the Resurrection will follow the committal at 10:00 am at St. Louis Catholic Church in Castroville, Texas.
Memorials can be made to the Southwest Texas CattleWomen’s Association,(http://southtxcattlewomen.com) for their scholarship and support programs or to the Southwest ISD Educational Foundation (http://www.swisdfoundation.com).
Terry was born in San Antonio, Texas on January 25, 1950 to Alfred and Gwendolyn Gray and had one older sister, Aleta Gray. She graduated as salutatorian from Lytle High School, where she was active in the Rodeo Club, was the drum major and participated in yearbook and drama as well. Her love of horses and passion for barrel racing and pole bending, led her to Sul Ross State University and therodeo team, andshe received a bachelors in English and Education as well as a Master of Fine Arts there. While at Sul Ross, she met Allen Chandler, and they were wed on January 29, 1972.
Terry and Allen moved across Texas where Terry taught in Rocksprings, Marfa, Alpine, Fort Davis, Presidio and San Antonio.Most of her career was spent in Alpine, where their daughters Lee and Cameron were born and raised. Terry retired from her teaching career at Southwest High School in San Antonio, Texas in 2007. She loved teaching and felt she was blessed to have been able to have taught at all levels, from 3rd grade to Seniors. She especially enjoyed coaching her UIL students in an array of areas including debate, prose, and poetry.
During Terry and Allen’s life across Texas, Terry was active in the ranching community, and served in different capacities in the West of the Pecos Cowbells (now the West of the Pecos CattleWomen) and once they moved to Castroville, the South Texas CattleWomen, where she served in multiple officer roles. In 2015, she was honored by the state association as the Texas CattleWoman of the year.
Terry always loved history and art, especially in regard to Texas, New Mexico and Northern Mexico. She had an eye for fine turquoise jewelry and a passion for Navajo rugs. Her home was filled with unique and personal items that reflected her enjoyment of the history and cultures. Terry loved her family and shared her love of history and art with her daughters and her grandchildren, as well as her friends from near and far who were fortunate enough to engage in one of her tours and walkabouts. She loved a good game of cards and dominos, as well as taking a turn around the dance floor to classic Texas Swing. After retirement, you could find her after morning mass with group of her friends enjoying some tacos and fellowship at the Taqueria San Juan in Castroville for breakfast and maybe followed up with an afternoon at the Briscoe Western Art Museum in San Antonio, where she served as a docent.
Terry is survived by her husband of 46 years, Allen, daughters, Lee (Scott) Brewster and Cameron (Andrew) Compton; “adopted daughter” Lizette Specht; her two granddaughters, Alexandria Brewster and Carson Compton; and grandson Zachary Brewster. As family we have been blessed to have been surrounded by the many people who loved her and called her friend. She left a formidable legacy and it is the family, friends, and relationships that she built that honor her life, spirit, and memory.
Arrangements by Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home.